Davis classified the Cycle of Erosion into three main stages:
1. Youth Stage
2. Mature Stage
3. Old Stage
1. Youth Stage: In this stage, the river flows along an uneven surface and there is intensive bottom erosion, the gradients are steep and the erosion is rapid. The rapid deepening of the channel leads to the formation of V – shaped valleys.
2. Mature Stage: In this stage, river widens the valley by lateral erosion. The bottom is eroded by the lateral erosion in this stage, by which the V – shaped valleys usually converts into a U – shape.
3. Old Stage: In this stage, unevenness of the earth’s crust reduces and the entire area transforms into a pedeplain. In this stage, the slope is almost non-existent and the water spreads around.
